Our neighbor has a new puppy of some giant breed. It is full of exuberance and it already HUGE. To get some control, a dog trainer taught my neighbor to get the puppy’s attention with a treat held near her face. The treat and the command “watch me” refocuses the dog’s attention and gets it to calm down.

The good news for leaders is that they do not need to train their team to look at them. They are always watching, but what they see may not always be beneficial. What people see when they look at their leader will either improve or degrade team effectiveness.

What does your team see when they look at you? Do they see someone scattered or organized? Consistent or inconclusive? Do they see someone they can trust and who has a compelling vision? Do they see an inspiring leader or just another person in an office?

Take a moment and consider HOW you want to be seen by your team. Compare reality to your aspirations. (Get a 360 if you need it.) Make a public commitment to change and get after it.

As a leader, you have the attention. What you choose to do with it will either help or hinder your organization from reaching its full potential.